Monday, October 20, 2008

Eight from "The Heartland Speaks" arrested at Kansas A-10 Warthog air show

Eight of us were arrested Wednesday at the site of the Salina, Kansas "bombing and strafing" air show after "crossing the line" during a demonstration against increased U.S. militarization and the use of depleted uranium munitions. Five of the jailed were over age 70.

The arrested were part of a three-day gathering of about 40 activists from throughout the U.S. called "The Heartland Speaks," which included presentations on militarization and the environment, impact of the use and production of depleted uranium munitions, the lethal use of the A-10 Thunderbolt (Warthog) military jet, the face of warmaking, and nonviolent peacebuilding.

The A-10 Warthog competition was called "Hawgsmoke," and jets were taking off and landing in practice runs during the demonstration. The military jets,can fire up to 60 30mm rounds a second in their bombing and strafing attacks, including DU rounds, and have been deployed extensively in recent U.S. military incursions.

The local media lauded the "Hawgsmoke" competition with headlines like "They're Heeeere ..." and "Successful Takeoff," but also covered the demonstration and arrests. About 50 persons were present at the demonstration, which included a three-mile march to the site of the air competition, live music and talks by participants.

Attending the conference and demonstration as well were activists from Veterans for Peace, the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance in Baltimore, Christian Peacemaker Teams, the Land Institute, the Manhattan, KS, peace community, and an activist musician from Australia.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

In this 5-minute experimental video, I reflect on how temporary things are ... that all we create eventually disappears in a universe that changes, a solar system that will vanish. This is part of Between the Ice Ages, tone poems and found objects.

About Me

I'm a writer, runner, artist, social justice activist; retired as a United Methodist pastor, filmmaker and print journalist. I've got a Ph.D. in philosophy, interpretation and culture from SUNY-Binghamton. I've also been part of or guided social justice delegations to Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba, Chiapas and central Mexico and the Mideast. Much of this work is with Eileen, my creative spouse and partner.. With regard to running, I am a former All-American in track, my best race a 3rd place medal in the 1961 National AAU Championship 600 race at Madison Square Garden in NYC. You may follow me at wildclearing.blogspot.com, at @WesRehberg on Twitter, and on Facebook.